Any recommended hardware for getting involved with helping out?

[twitchyliquid64]

Hi!

First off, awesome project!!! 😁 I want to get ble / wireless-DFU working on the PineTime, so I'm keen to help out with rubble however I can.

Would you have any recommendations for what hardware to get? Preferably something with USB (maybe this?) so I dont have to solder some dodgy SWD wiredoodles?

And for debugging, are yous using a BLE sniffer or anything fancy like that?

[jonas-schievink]

Hi!

Ideally you'll want to get a board with a built-in programmer (since the nRF52840 has a USB peripheral, just looking for a USB connector might get you the wrong thing).

The official Nordic dev boards have an on-board J-Link, so they should work. I'm currently using the nRF52840-MDK by Makerdiary, which also does the job and has an on-board DAPLink programmer (though I did have to update the programmer firmware first).

If you're fine with messing around with bootloaders, then a board without a programmer might also work for you, but I don't really recommend that since it's usually a pain to get working.

Another option might be something like the Particle Xenon or other boards with a debugging connector. Then you can use a normal cable to connect a debug probe.

Something else to look out for is the serial connection. Rubble relies a lot on logging via the UART, so if you can get a decent connection to your computer (at at least 115 kbaud, though 1 Mbaud is better) then you'll have an easier time.

I don't currently use a BLE sniffer, but I think Nordic has a sniffer firmware for the nRF51, so that might be useful if you have some boards on hand. I usually rely on the logging output and Wireshark for more high-level protocols.

[dbrgn]

I have the Ebyte E73-TBB (evalboard for the E73-2G4M04S1A) and I quite like it so far! You can get it on Aliexpress.

[kuon]

I have a laird dev kit and it has everything on board:

https://www.mouser.ch/new/laird-connectivity/laird-bl654-kits/